Honorable Sash of the Most Holy Theotokos

Sunday Bulletin August 31, 2014 12th Sunday of Matthew Honorable Sash of the Most Holy Theotokos Transfiguration of our Lord Greek Orthodox Church 414 St. Stephen s School Road Austin, Texas 78746 (512) 329-6363 email - office@transfiguration.org website - www.transfiguration.org Sunday Service Schedule Orthros 8:15am; Divine Liturgy 9:30am Reverend Fr. Vasileios Flegas, Proistamenos 512-574-1972

Hymns for today Resurrection Hymn (Third Tone) Εὐφραινέσθω τὰ οὐράνια, ἀγαλλιάσθω τὰ ἐπίγεια, ὅτι ἐποίησε κράτος, ἐν βραχίονι αὐτοῦ, ὁ Κύριος, ἐπάτησε τῷ θανάτῳ τὸν θάνατον, πρωτότοκος τῶν νεκρῶν ἐγένετο, ἐκ κοιλίας ᾅδου ἐρρύσατο ἡµᾶς, καὶ παρέσχε τῷ κόσµῳ τὸ µέγα ἔλεος. Effrenestho ta Urania, agalliastho ta epigia, oti epiise kratos, en vraghoni aftu, o Kirios, Epatise to thanato ton thanaton, prototokos ton nekron egeneto, ek kilias athu erisato imas, ke pareske to kosmo to mega eleos. Let all things above in heav n rejoice, and let all things below on earth be glad With all the might and strength of His arm an eternal deed the Lord did perform Beneath His feet He has trampled down death by death, and first born of the dead has He become From the womb of Hades has He delivered us, and to all the world has granted His great redeeming mercy Hymn for the Placing of the Honorable Sash of the Most Holy Theotokos Θεοτόκε Αειπάρθενε, τών ανθρώπων η σκέπη, Εσθήτα καί Zώνην τού αχράντου σου σώµατος, κραταιάν τή πόλει σου περιβολήν εδωρήσω, τώ ασπόρω τόκω σου άφθαρτα διαµείναντα, επί σοί γάρ καί φύσις καινοτοµείται καί χρόνος, διό δυσωπούµέν σε, ειρήνην τή πολιτεία σου δώρησαι, καί ταίς ψυχαίς ηµών τό µέγα έλεος. O Ever virgin Theotokos, shelter of mankind, thou hast bestowed upon thy people a mighty investure, even thine immaculate body's raiment and sash, which by thy seedless childbirth have remained incorrupt; for in thee nature and time are made new. Wherefore, we implore thee to grant peace to the world, and great mercy to our souls. Hymn for the Transfiguration of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Μετεµορθώθης εν τώ όρει Χριστέ ο Θεός, δείξας τοίς Μαθηταίς σου τήν δόξαν σου, καθώς ήδυναντο, Λάµψον καί ηµίν τοίς αµαρτωλοίς, τό φώς σου τό αϊδιον, πρεσβείαις τής Θεοτόκου, φωτοδότα δόξα σοι. Metemorfothis en to ori, Christe o Theos, dixas tis mathites Sou tin doxan Sou, kathos i dynando Lampson ke imin tis amartolis to fos Sou to aidion, presvies tis Theotokou Fotodota doxa Si. When O Christ our God Thou wast Transfigured on the mountain Thou didst reveal Thy glory to Thy disciples in proportion as they could bear it. Let Thine everlasting light also enlighten us sinners. Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O Thou Bestower of light, glory to Thee. Kontakion for the Theotokos Τήν θεοδόχον γαστέρα σου Θεοτόκε, περιλαβούσα η Zώνη σου η τιµία, κράτος τή πόλει σου απροσµάχητον, καί θησαυρός υπάρχει, τών αγαθών ανέκλειπτος, η µόνη τεκούσα αειπάρθενος. Thy precious sash, O Theotokos, which encompassed thy God - receiving womb, is an invincible force for thy flock, and an unfailing treasury of every good, O only Ever - virgin Mother.

Epistle - Hebrews 9: 1-7 BRETHREN, the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly sanctuary. For a tent was prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence; it is called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain stood a tent called the Holy of Holies, having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, which contained a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaronʹs rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant; above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. These preparations having thus been made, the priests go continually into the outer tent, performing their ritual duties; but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood which he offers for himself and for the errors of the people. Ἀδελφοί, εἶχεν ἡ πρώτη σκηνὴ δικαιώµατα λατρείας, τό τε ἅγιον κοσµικόν. Σκηνὴ γὰρ κατεσκευάσθη ἡ πρώτη, ἐν ᾗ ἥ τε λυχνία καὶ ἡ τράπεζα καὶ ἡ πρόθεσις τῶν ἄρτων, ἥτις λέγεται ἅγια. Μετὰ δὲ τὸ δεύτερον καταπέτασµα σκηνὴ ἡ λεγοµένη ἅγια ἁγίων, χρυσοῦν ἔχουσα θυµιατήριον, καὶ τὴν κιβωτὸν τῆς διαθήκης περικεκαλυµµένην πάντοθεν χρυσίῳ, ἐν ᾗ στάµνος χρυσῆ ἔχουσα τὸ µάννα, καὶ ἡ ῥάβδος Ἀαρὼν ἡ βλαστήσασα, καὶ αἱ πλάκες τῆς διαθήκης ὑπεράνω δὲ αὐτῆς Χερουβὶµ δόξης κατασκιάζοντα τὸ ἱλαστήριον περὶ ὧν οὐκ ἔστιν νῦν λέγειν κατὰ µέρος. Τούτων δὲ οὕτως κατεσκευασµένων, εἰς µὲν τὴν πρώτην σκηνὴν διὰ παντὸς εἰσίασιν οἱ ἱερεῖς, τὰς λατρείας ἐπιτελοῦντες εἰς δὲ τὴν δευτέραν ἅπαξ τοῦ ἐνιαυτοῦ µόνος ὁ ἀρχιερεύς, οὐ χωρὶς αἵµατος, ὃ προσφέρει ὑπὲρ ἑαυτοῦ καὶ τῶν τοῦ λαοῦ ἀγνοηµάτων Paraklesis is Back! Join us every Wednesday at 5:30 pm WORSHIP and STUDY September 17 through November 5 After Paraklesis, we will have our Orthodoxy 101 Class at 7:00 pm in Mt. Tabor Hall. Everyone is welcome!

Gospel - St. Matthew 19: 16-26 At that time, a young man came up to Jesus, kneeling and saying, ʺGood Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?ʺ And he said to him, ʺWhy do you call me good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.ʺ He said to him, ʺWhich?ʺ And Jesus said, ʺYou shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and You shall love your neighbor as yourself.ʺ The young man said to him, ʺAll these I have observed; what do I still lack?ʺ Jesus said to him, ʺIf you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.ʺ When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions. And Jesus said to his disciples, ʺTruly, I say to you, it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.ʺ When the disciples heard this they were greatly astonished, saying, ʺWho then can be saved?ʺ But Jesus looked at them and said to them, ʺWith men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.ʺ Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, νεανίσκος τις προσῆλθε τῷ Ἰησοῦ, γονυπετῶν αὐτόν, καὶ λέγων Διδάσκαλε ἀγαθέ, τί ἀγαθὸν ποιήσω ἵνα ἔχω ζωὴν αἰώνιον; O δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῷ τί µε λέγεις ἀγαθόν; οὐδεὶς ἀγαθὸς εἰ µὴ εἷς ὁ Θεός. εἰ δὲ θέλεις εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν ζωήν, τήρησον τὰς ἐντολάς. λέγει αὐτῷ ποίας; ὁ δὲ Ιησοῦς εἶπε τὸ οὐ φονεύσεις, οὐ µοιχεύσεις, οὐ κλέψεις, οὐ ψευδοµαρτυρήσεις, τίµα τὸν πατέρα καὶ τὴν µητέρα, καὶ ἀγαπήσεις τὸν πλησίον σου ὡς σεαυτόν. λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ νεανίσκος πάντα ταῦτα ἐφυλαξάµην ἐκ νεότητός µου τί ἔτι ὑστερῶ; ἔφη αὐτῷ ὁ Ιησοῦς εἰ θέλεις τέλειος εἶναι, ὕπαγε πώλησόν σου τὰ ὑπάρχοντα καὶ δὸς πτωχοῖς, καὶ ἕξεις θησαυρὸν ἐν οὐρανῷ, καὶ δεῦρο ἀκολούθει µοι. ἀκούσας δὲ ὁ νεανίσκος τὸν λόγον ἀπῆλθε λυπούµενος ἦν γὰρ ἔχων κτήµατα πολλά. Ο δὲ Ιησοῦς εἶπε τοῖς µαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ ἀµὴν λέγω ὑµῖν ὅτι δυσκόλως πλούσιος εἰσελεύσεται εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τῶν οὐρανῶν. πάλιν δὲ λέγω ὑµῖν, εὐκοπώτερόν ἐστι κάµηλον διὰ τρυπήµατος ῥαφίδος διελθεῖν ἢ πλούσιον εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν τοῦ Θεοῦ εἰσελθεῖν. ἀκούσαντες δὲ οἱ µαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ἐξεπλήσσοντο σφόδρα λέγοντες τίς ἄρα δύναται σωθῆναι; ἐµβλέψας δὲ ὁ Ιησοῦς εἶπεν αὐτοῖς παρὰ ἀνθρώποις τοῦτο ἀδύνατόν ἐστι, παρὰ δὲ Θεῷ πάντα δυνατά ἐστι. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You! Mike and I cannot begin to tell you all how moved we were by the surprise going away lunch for us last week. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank Fr. Vasileios, the wonderful Philoptochos women, the Parish Council, and all of you! The kind and gracious words, the delicious lunch, the lovely decorations, and the very generous gifts were just too much for us to comprehend! Your love is so amazing! We are very blessed to have you all as a church family! We especially want to thank Fr. Vasileios and Prsv. Stella for all of their love and support; and for Father s patience with us during our transition! :) We love you all so much! May God bless you and keep you all. Mike & Liz

Welcome Visitors! We welcome all new visitors who worshipped with us this morning. We are pleased to have you with us! Please join us next door after service for coffee and fellowship. There is material in the entrance of the church regarding ministries and events of Transfiguration. We hope that you will return often to worship with us and grow in Christ! Receiving Holy Communion The sacrament of Holy Communion is reserved for only baptized and/or Chrismated Orthodox Christians who have properly prepared by fasting, prayer and confession. The Orthodox Church is not in sacramental communion with any other church outside the Orthodox Christian Faith. If you are not Orthodox, you are invited with everyone to receive the Antidoron (blessed bread) at the end of service. If you would like information about the Orthodox Church, please see Fr. Vasileios after services. Sunday Classes are on summer break. Have a blessed Summer! Prayers for Health Arlena, Philip, Glenna, Nicole, Michael, John, Lili, Archie, Paul, Michael, Petra, Luke, Chris, Matthew, Elizabeth, Venton, John, Ricky, Wayne, Sarah, Christopher, John, Konstandinos, Jan, Marie, Cliff, Lou, Thomas, Kathy, Kathryn, Greg, Christopher, Steve, Nakis, Martha, George, Richard Simeon, Nicole, Mark, Maria, Nassos, Maria, Amy, Christina, Ana, Dolly, Irene, Fr. Ambrose, Bill, Linda, Mindy, Jenny, Maria, Zoe, Rosemary, Fr. Andreas, Emmanuel, Alkmene, Maree, Constanze, Jennifer, Timothy, Andrea, Janis Mae, Andreas, Luke, Zlata, Andrea, Albert, Dorothy, Larry, Jane, Boyd, Wilma, Ted, Nicolette, Alexandra, Carol, Frank, Eric, Olga, Fr. Damaskinos, Emmanuel, Thomas, Kalliopi, Aikaterini, Garyfalia, Ioannis, Nikolaos, Evangelia, Fotini, Eirini, Dimitrios, Antigoni, Sharon, Georgia, Angie, Michael, Dimitra, Suzanne, Kirsten, Kimberlin, Alvin, Alison, Emily, Athanasios, Tristen, Damon, Fran, Melanie, Theone, Zoe, Gabriel, Maria, Dmitriy, Cia, David, Betty (Mary Elizabeth), Panayiota, Anthony, Susan, Carole, John, Stephanie, Maria, Christa, Andrea, Greg, Stephen, Nick, Westin, Larry, Anna, Dana, Colleen, Zoe, John, Dave, Sam, Christine, Alysun, Joe, Kh. Anastasia-Velvet, Alex, Gabriella Marie, Lisa, Marija, Maria, Jerry, Layla, Irene, Johnathan, Xenia, Ben, Deacon James, Robin, Kathy, Bill, Katy, Katherine, Heidi, Philio, Robert, John, Dan, Jerry, Kimberly, David, Virginia, Anastasia-Stase, Evyenia, Molly, Andrew, infant Alex, Dionne and her unborn child, Billy, Presbytera Flora, Gabriel, Melanie, Cynthia, infant Abigail Grace, Nicholas the priest, Maria Teresa, Molly, Richard, Christine, Pavlos, JoGeo, Dino(Constantine), Cristie, Virginia, Mary, Tommy, Samantha, Eleni, Catherine and her unborn child, Guadalupe, Marta, Raphael, Salin, George-Panagiotis, Tina, Marian, Emily, Sarah, MaryAnn, Nancy, Chrissy, Nicholas, Wesley, Helen, Kynlee, Cameren Prayers for those in our Armed Forces SGT Jennifer D. Atkinson, SSG John Atkinson, COL Dave Romine, CPT James Alfaro, SSG Deane Anderson, CPT William Willett, MAJ Timothy Ullman, MAJ Chris Chase, SPC Mindy Keys, SPC Andrew Bentzel, MAJ Scot Thornhill, CPT Christopher Gilbert, CPT. Alexander Stathos, 1st LT Angela Bahlatzis, MIDN 1/C Joseph Barone, SGT Walter Hurbert (Nikolaos) Willoughby IV, LCDR Thomas Uhl

September 1, 2014 Beginning of the Ecclesias cal New Year Day for the Protec on of our Natural Environment To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communi es, the Dis nguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, A ernoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organiza ons, and the en re Greek Orthodox Family in America Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, As we commemorate this Feast of the Indic on, the beginning of the new ecclesias cal year, we ask our great and merciful God to bless the crown of this year which His goodness has allowed us to begin (Hymn of Orthros). It is His goodness and grace that has brought us to the beginning of one more ecclesias cal year and to another blessed cycle of the feasts and observances of our Holy Orthodox Faith. In an cipa on of the marvelous and wonderful things our Lord will accomplish in our lives, parishes, and families, we look forward to the blessings that will come through our worship, prayer, and service. This me of year is also the beginning of the academic year when our children, youth, and young adults return to school. In addi on, it is the me in associa on with the new Church year and the academic year that our religious, Greek educa on, and day school programs begin in parishes throughout our Holy Archdiocese. These ministries are vital in teaching and nurturing our spiritual and cultural heritage among our youth, but they are also essen al to the well-being of the Orthodox Chris an family. With our con nued emphasis on the theme of our recent Clergy-Laity Congress, The Orthodox Chris an Family: A Dwelling of Christ and a Witness of His Gospel, we begin this ecclesias cal year reflec ng on the priority of strengthening families through the educa onal ministries of our parishes. It is also a me to focus on the important role of Chris an educa on in the home. In our sacred work of teaching, we must affirm that educa on in the parish and in the home involve a collabora ve and commi ed effort on the part of clergy, teachers and parents. In addi on to offering knowledge about our faith and Hellenic culture or teaching basic academic disciplines, programs in the parish should emphasize the iden ty of the Orthodox Chris an family and offer resources that guide families in staying connected to God and the Church. Through worship, prayer, reflec on, and teaching in the home, families should reinforce the guidance received through the educa onal ministries of the parish, nurturing family members in the faith and becoming a kat oikon ekklesia the Church in the home (Romans 16:5, Colossians 4:15). The Orthodox Chris an family that is strengthened and guided by the educa onal ministry of the parish becomes a dwelling of Christ and a witness of the Gospel. The members of the family are connected to God and to the primary mission of the Church. Children and youth are nurtured in the faith. They connect the values, ideals, and treasures of their cultural heritage to life today as an Orthodox family. And the family receives the wisdom and spiritual guidance needed to seek the poten al of each member, to mature in Christ, to serve others, and to bring honor and glory to God. As we reflect on the beginning of the ecclesias cal year and our ministry to families, we also recognize that this day has been designated by the Ecumenical Patriarchate as the Day for the Protec on of our Natural Environment. With grateful hearts and as faithful stewards, we must also renew our commitment to protect all that God has created. We do this when we iden fy abuse, waste, and destruc ve prac ces and affirm the priority of sustaining and respec ng life. We are also witnesses of our Creator and His grace when we seek to conserve, to renew, and to transform the world around us so that it is produc ve and beneficial for all people and for genera ons to come. As we begin this new ecclesias cal year, I ask each of you to consider your efforts and concern for the natural environment and to make every effort to protect the created order. Regarding the family, I also ask all of our parishes to plan, evaluate, and offer the resources to ensure that our educa onal programs are helping families become Orthodox Chris an families. May we make every effort to equip and edify families in unity of faith and the knowledge of the Son of God (Ephesians 4:13) so that each family member has the spiritual founda on to mature in the fullness of Christ, and the family becomes a dwelling of Him and a witness of His Gospel. Also, as we ask for our Lord s generous blessings through the cycle of this year, may we also pray that He will keep our families and the natural environment in peace, safe and secure from all harm. With paternal love in Christ, DEMETRIOS Archbishop of America

WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS: Sunday, August 31, 2014 Services for this Week: The Beginning of the Ecclesiastical Year: Monday, Sept. 1, Orthros- 9:00am; Divine Liturgy- 10:00am Great Vespers: Saturday, September 6-5:00pm Philoptochos News Please make plans to attend our Annual Membership Tea to be held on Saturday, September 20, 12 noon, at the home of Diana Angelo- 105 Top O the Lake Dr. 78732 Don t forget to purchase gift cards from us! Your purchases help us raise funds to give to MANY worthy charities! Great Lakes Scrip carries cards from MANY grocery stores, department stores, restaurants, movies, etc. You name it, they carry it! This is back-to-school shopping time, so please consider picking up gift cards from us to make your school purchases. These cards make great gifts for your college students, too! GOLF Our next study will be on Tuesday, Sept.2 at 10am We are currently studying the book- Everyday Saints and Other Stories Please contact Krystal Cawood to be added to our email list- townsendcrafts@gmail.com Exploring Modern Orthodoxy Fr. Deacon George has begun a class for the young adults and is proving to be very informative and captivating. The class meets every other week on Thursdays. Everyone is welcome to join them! Their next meeting will be on Thursday, September 4, at 6:30pm in the fellowship hall. Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church invites you to celebrate with us at our 29th Anniversary Gala Saturday, Nov. 8th, 2014 6:30pm to 11:30pm at the Stephen F. Austin Hotel Dinner, Dancing, Entertainment, Silent Auction, Raffle Ticket Prices: Adults- $100 Children under 18- $40 Purchase Tickets at transfigura on.org Complementary Valet Parking

WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENTS continued: Sunday, August 31, 2014 The Young Adults of Austin are thrilled to be hosting Austin's first pan-orthodox Young Professionals Conference! This conference is geared for post-college Orthodox Christians who want to explore the riches of their Orthodox Christian faith, discuss challenging social and personal issues of our time, and enjoy quality fellowship with one another. October 24-26, 2014 at the Holiday Inn at Town Lake Join us on October 24-26, 2014 for an incredible weekend, packed full of spiritual and social activities. Get to know and spend time with fellow Orthodox Christians as we learn what it means to live authentically. Explore the concepts of "Real Life, True Faith" with Dr. George Stavros. We'll reflect, learn, and worship together, discover Austin's hotspots, and form lifelong connections. Please be sure to connect with us via our website, or email. -Email address: youngadultsaustin2014@gmail.com -Event website (including registration): http://peliniko.wix.com/yal-2014-austin -Check us out on Facebook with our most updated information: https://www.facebook.com/austinconference#!/ events/268607640009171/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming Thank you to today s Coffee Hour Sponsors: Harris, Herescu, Hicks, Holland, Horwedel, Hrissikopoulos Thank you to last week s Surprise Luncheon! Sponsors: The Parish council, Philoptochos, Chrissie Spiropoulos, and friends of Liz and Mike Strong Next week s Coffee Hour Sponsors: Geranios, Jones, Kalogirou, Kalpaxis, Kangos, Keah Thank you to today s ushers: David Maziasz (PCM), Gregory Chronis, David Horwedel, Chrissie Spiropoulos Thank you to last week s ushers: Tom Gouris (PCM), Paul Petrogeorge, Stella Rossnagel, Harry Stamatis Next week s ushers are: Chris Falkowski (PCM), Mary Beth Gradziel, Brian Holland, Harry Stamatis